Drug Free Childbirth - 6 months later

YIKES!!! I remember seeing this image before both of my children were born and thinking who in their right mind would refuse to get an epidural? Never thought I would do it twice! After my first natural childbirth experience being so long and painful I thought a few times about getting the epidural. But at the same time I felt like childbirth was an amazing experience that is so natural, I didn't want to mess with it. I will say my second time around was so much different. It was beautiful. It was perfect.

I was in pre-labor for 3weeks before she got here, that was annoying. Especially because I went to the doctor and hospital multiple times expecting to be coming home with a baby, only to be sent home. I couldn't sleep or eat or do anything really, it was painful enough to cause a whole bunch of problems but not enough to move that baby along.

When my water broke in the middle of the night it was like the movies huge gushes of water! She was pasted her due date by 5 days so she had a bowl movement in the womb (Meconium) so the water was brownish/yellow and cloudy. I was freaked out and just wanted to get to the hospital even though I had no contractions. Good thing, because as soon as we got to the hospital my contractions started. No pitocin this time! It was awesome to be able to walk around the room and use the birthing ball because I was not attached to any IV. Jeremie and I were laughing and dancing through the beginning stages of labor.

When the contractions got really strong all I wanted to do was lay in the bed. I would pass out during them because they were so intense. Jeremie had a bucket of ice water with lemon extracts in it, he dipped a wash cloth in it and put it over my face during. It helped so much with nausea and distracted me from the pain for a couple seconds. When I felt that urge to push I was only 9.5cm dilated again, just like with Avery. My midwives let me try. Think I only pushed for about 15minutes and she was here. And just like with Avery I felt absolutely no pain through the actual child birth! It's insane to me that our bodies can do that! And again that rush of hormones right after childbirth is worth the hours of labor. NEVER have I ever felt so alive! And happy!

Seconds after Karter was born

No tearing this time either! Which makes the recovery so much better, I was working out again 2wks after she was born. My conclusion, I think you have to pay your dues on the first one and baby #2 is like a cake walk. I went into the hospital around 4am and Karter was born at 7:30am. I mean don't get me wrong, labor is still a very painful experience but it was nothing like the first time. I was scared and it took 33hrs....compared to 3hrs this time. As soon as I had her I couldn't wait to have another one....same plan no epidural, all natural.

 Ladies its your decision. So please don't let me or anyone else convince you on what is right for you and your baby.  If you are thinking about doing it drug free.... I highly recommend giving it a try...never will you get to experience something so amazing in your life. So empowering. So beautiful....and a short 6months later I can not for the life of me even remember what the pain actually felt like. But my perspective on what I am capable of doing has been forever changed!

Avery meeting his sister 4hrs after she was born.

Miss Karter Paige today, 6moths old